Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younus said they hoped their countrymen would get behind the World Twenty20 team which left for the West Indies on Saturday.

"We hope the whole nation backs us in our campaign," said coach Waqar as most of the team left for St Lucia.

Pakistan, which won the title in England last year, is placed in Group A of the 12-nation event which starts on April 30 and finishes on May 16. They face Bangladesh in the opening match on May 1.

Two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the next stage of the tournament.

Waqar, who replaced Intikhab Alam as coach after team's dismal tour of Australia in February this year, said all matches are tough.

"We will not take any match easy and put best efforts to achieve the target, which is to successfully defend our title," said the former fast bowler. "We have trained well and are confident of success.

"We have a very balanced team in all departments and if we bat to our plan, bowl accurately and field well then there is no reason why we should not win again, but we also need prayers from the people."

Waqar said Pakistan has an edge with their spinners.

"Our spinners are good and West Indian pitches will suit them," said Waqar of Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Abdul Rehman - four regular spinners in the team.